Max Burgin knows absolutely what it takes to gear up for a race with limited preparation and is confident he can do it again at the Commonwealth Games.

The middle-distance runner from Halifax showed signs of promising form with a third-place finish over 800m at the Wanda Diamond League in London.

He edged out Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in the process, a decent return considering he has been limited by an Achilles injury since beating the Kenyan in Rabat at the end of May.

He said: “I think that showed I'm not lacking fitness, but I am lacking a bit of sharpness.

Max Burgin is building race sharpness ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Issam Zerrok/Hans Lucas/Getty Images

placeholder image — Max Burgin is building race sharpness ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Issam Zerrok/Hans Lucas/Getty Images

“After running in Rabat, I had about a month off with an Achilles problem just after that race. So I've had to do quite a bit of bike work in the build-up to this one, which has been unfortunate.

“I think my fitness is still there. It's just that sharpness, particularly over the last 100 metres. I didn't quite have it, but the best way to sharpen that up is by racing and putting yourself in this sort of position.

“I'm absolutely no stranger to racing off less-than-ideal preparation. By my standards, only having a month on the bike is actually quite lenient.

“I knew most of my fitness would still be there, so I was pretty confident coming in that I could still pull out a decent performance, show a bit of form and give myself some confidence heading into the championships.

“Finishing third was probably the best I could have hoped for in the circumstances, but it will push me on. In a week's time I'll be running a lot faster because of it, so I'm happy with that.”

Burgin will now turn his attentions to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he would have been a strong contender for gold if fully fit.

This performance, where he ran 1:43.30, showed that he is not a million miles off top form, as he targets a first-ever medal at an major championships.

He added: “Hopefully, by the time the championships come around in a few weeks' time, I'll be properly ready.

“I’d like to win it (Commonwealth gold), ideally.

“To be fair, I'd be happy with a medal, considering I've never won one at a major championships before, so at a conservative estimate, I’d like to say I’d like to medal.

“But you've always got to be in it for the win.”

Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK — from supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, to powering British Athletics on the global stage. Find out more at www.novuna.co.uk